UK to Buy Nuclear-Capable F-35s for NATO Mission

UK to Buy Nuclear-Capable F-35s for NATO Mission/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The United Kingdom will purchase 12 U.S.-built F‑35A jets capable of carrying nuclear bombs, marking its return to NATO’s shared nuclear mission. Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the move at the NATO summit in the Netherlands, calling it the biggest nuclear posture shift in decades. The U.K. also pledged 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine and committed to boosting defense spending to 5% of GDP by 2035.

Quick Look

•  Britain will acquire 12 U.S.-built F‑35A jets capable of carrying U.S. B61 nuclear gravity bombs, rejoining NATO’s nuclear mission for the first time since the 1990s.
• PM Keir Starmer calls this the “biggest strengthening of the U.K.’s nuclear posture in a generation”; NATO’s Secretary-General hailed it as a significant contribution.
• The U.K. will additionally send 350 air-defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by interest from frozen Russian assets, while committing to increase NATO defense spending up to 5% of GDP by 2035.

UK to Buy Nuclear-Capable F-35s for NATO Mission

Deep Look

F‑35s return to nuclear role
The U.K. will purchase 12 Lockheed Martin F‑35A stealth fighters capable of deploying American B61 nuclear bombs, marking a return to air-based nuclear deterrence last seen after the Cold War. The capabilities are part of a renewed NATO nuclear mission, requiring authorization from the U.K. PM, the U.S. president, and NATO’s nuclear planning group.

Strategic signaling
Announcing the move at a NATO summit in the Netherlands, Prime Minister Starmer framed it as a landmark defense upgrade, bolstering deterrence at a time of rising tensions.

NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte praised the decision as a “robust British contribution.”

Marion Messmer of Chatham House noted the U.K. hasn’t confirmed if U.S. nuclear weapons will be stationed on British soil; such bombs, if present, would remain under exclusive U.S. control.

“The U.K. doesn’t have any nuclear weapons itself that could be deployed via this aircraft,” Messmer said. “Other states in NATO that participate in this mission also host U.S. nuclear weapons on their territory – these weapons remain entirely under U.S. control.”

Supporting Ukraine & defense budget goals
In tandem, the U.K. will send 350 air-defense missiles to Ukraine, funded with £70 million sourced from interest on frozen Russian assets. This aligns with broader NATO spending ambitions, aiming for 3.5% of GDP on core defense plus 1.5% on broader security measures by 2035. The U.K. currently spends 2.3% of GDP on defense and plans to raise this to 2.6% by 2027.

Starmer also announced that the U.K. will provide 350 air defense missiles to Ukraine, funded by 70 million pounds ($95 million) raised from interest on seized Russian assets.

Context & implications

• Reintroducing nuclear-capable jets signifies a strategic recalibration in Europe amid conflict in Ukraine and Kremlin aggression.
• The decision reflects Starmer’s greater alignment with NATO compared to recent post-Brexit defense debates in the U.K.
• Increased missile support to Ukraine highlights continued Western solidarity in countering Russian moves in Europe.

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